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Inaugural mass for Pope Leo XIV to take place at St. Peter’s Square

The largest delegations will come from Italy, Peru - where Pope Leo XIV served as a missionary for several decades during his pastoral ministry - and the United States, his country of origin

VATICAN CITY, May 18. /TASS/. The inaugural mass marking the official commencement of the pontificate of His Holiness Pope Leo XIV will be held at St. Peter’s Square. The event will begin inside the principal Catholic cathedral, starting from the tomb of Saint Peter in its crypt.

The largest delegations will come from Italy, Peru - where Pope Leo XIV served as a missionary for several decades during his pastoral ministry - and the United States, his country of origin.

The United States will be represented by Vice President JD Vance, who visited Pope Francis before his passing on Easter (April 20), along with Secretary of State Marco Rubio. The latter has already held a series of meetings at the Vatican in recent days. It is possible that Vice President Vance will hold a private meeting with the Pope despite a fully booked schedule.

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